For a poll to be valid, it must include an accurate sample of people; that is, it must be random.

Additionally, probability sampling should be conducted when people have become comfortable answering questions related to the topic of interest. This method is known as "probability sampling."

Poll: Which Broward high school athlete should be the Miami Herald’s Player?

Poll:

The Miami Herald's Player is an annual list featuring some of Broward County's greatest athletes. We publish it each year and then give fans the chance to vote for their favorites.

Over the years, we've done this in a variety of ways to provide readers with an enjoyable experience as well as our athletes. It's our way of shining a spotlight on some of the top high school athletes in our county, and we always welcome your feedback.

Our aim is to ensure these lists are as fair and accurate as possible. When selecting our Player, we consider a variety of factors such as performance during the season, leadership qualities and athletic ability.

For instance, some players may be rated higher than others due to being better suited for their position--such as quarterbacks or running backs--but we also take into account their academic record which plays a major role in how many scholarships they receive.

Another aspect we take into account when selecting our children for sports and competition is their attitude toward sports and competition, as well as how they treat others. This is especially pertinent in South Florida where our kids often engage in competitive sports from a young age.

Answering this question is difficult as there are so many outstanding athletes from Broward County who should be considered for The Miami Herald's Player. We'll take all of your suggestions into account and announce the top boy and girl vote-getters next week.

The Miami Herald has a proud tradition of honoring the top high school athletes from Broward and Miami-Dade counties with its Silver Knight Awards. Each year, an independent panel of judges interviews nominees, selecting 30 Silver Knights and 90 Honorable Mentions for recognition at a ceremony televised locally from Miami's James L. Knight Center.

Mater Academy’s Kevin Fuentes

Mater Academy outclassed Winter Haven on the diamond to win a Class 6A state baseball championship with a 1-0 victory Thursday at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers. The Lions junior Kevin Fuentes pitched an outstanding complete game and recorded one strikeout to secure victory.

Fuentes was an impressive star on Miami-Dade Public Schools' varsity squad this year and is a contender for The Miami Herald's All-Dade 8A-6A baseball player of the year award. His stats were remarkable, including a 10-1 record with two shutouts and 98 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings pitched.

Broward student-athletes were well represented on The Miami Herald's All-Dade lists this year. Ari Cogdell of American was named Class 8A-6A Boys' Athlete of the Year for track and field, while Pace's Sabrina Cabrera emerged as The Miami Herald's flag football girls of the year. Additionally, several local coaches earned top accolades.

American’s Ari Cogdell

This year, several Broward high school athletes have earned recognition on The Miami Herald's all-school awards list. Some student-athletes are among the top scorers in the county while others were recognized for their excellence on the court or track.

Our vote goes to American's Ari Cogdell. He's an accomplished multi-sport athlete and also serves as head coach of North Carolina's indoor track and field team. Though only recently hired, his influence already transcends sports.

His hire follows a trend of recruiting assistants with WVU connections. Lonnie Galloway (wide receivers), Ron Crook (offensive line), Tony Gibson (defensive backs) and Ja'Juan Seider (running backs) all hail from West Virginia and have helped transform the Tar Heels into national powers. Cogdell will be an important influence on WVU's next generation of football stars while teaching physical education at Miramar and serving as assistant coach for their flag football program. His accolades speak volumes; he's one of the most decorated head coaches in the state and an absolute student of the game.

Goleman’s Erick Delgado

Since 1903, The Miami Herald has been a reliable source for South Florida high school athletes and coaches. Through this blog, you'll stay abreast of all things high school sports while having the chance to voice your opinions on what's happening during each game.

The Herald boasts an outstanding team of writers who are passionate about covering South Florida high school sports. Each writer is knowledgeable about each sport and has extensive backgrounds in their respective fields, giving our readers a diverse viewpoint, analysis and occasional jokes on the latest in high school athletics.

Goleman's Erick Delgado is a strong contender for Player of the Year. He boasts an athletic batting eye with a smooth set-up and quick lateral movements, as well as a soft/sure mitt that offers excellent pocket awareness. Delgado centers pitches off his soft chest with great confidence, providing them with 91 mph exit velocity.

He is an impressive catcher with great potential. He still needs to develop his game behind the plate, but he already possesses an excellent feel for the ball and impressive arm strength. College coaches will surely take notice as he progresses in his game. With a good chance at making it to the next level and potential as a strong player for years to come, this is an ideal chance for him to get on track and make his mark in South Florida baseball.

Pace’s Sofia Dominguez

The Miami Herald has a proud tradition of celebrating local high school athletes and their accomplishments. The paper boasts an impressive sports journalism legacy, with 22 Pulitzer Prizes awarded since 1903. Additionally, The Herald's coverage of political and economic issues, crime reporting, as well as breaking news events have been highly praised over time.

In 2014-2015, several Broward schools earned top honors in The Miami Herald's Male and Female Athletes of the Year as well as Coach of the Year categories. American's Ari Cogdell won Boys' Athlete of the Year for track and field, while his coach Enrico Knowles earned him recognition as Coach of the Year.

At the Premios Copa Dorada Golden Cup Awards luncheon on April 3, Pace's Sofia Dominguez earned herself the title of Female Athlete of the Year. A senior softball standout, Dominguez has led Pace's varsity team this season with an 11-1 record, 105 strikeouts and 1.80 ERA; she was recently named Player of the Game for her performance against University on April 5.

Nurse by major, she has played all four years at Pace under head coach Angel Torres. A two-time All-Dade County selection, she holds the school record in strikeouts (169).

Her family has long had a connection to Pace, as one of her grandparents attended the school before it became part of Miami-Dade County and her father is an administrator at Saint Louis Covenant School in Pinecrest. For six years now, she has been volunteering at Pace as a teacher in various classes.

She has also served as the school's assistant athletic director, where her duties included overseeing the construction of Pace Heritage Hall, home to an array of school memorabilia including city proclamations and yearbooks, uniforms, banners, mugs and pens.